Heating apparatus



Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,064

C. P. HIGGINS HEATING-APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1921 INVENTOR I ATTORNEYS -BY f Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CAMPBELL P. HIGGINS, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE BABCOCK & WILCOX COMPANY, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

HEATING APPARATUS.

Application filed July 2,

In the majority of domestic steam-heating plants the draft is shut ofi' from the furnace at night and the pressure falls to a point where all, or nearly all, of the radiators become filled with air when the ordinary types of air-valves are used. On starting up the fire in the morning, the air is blown out through the air valves, causing a disagree able hissing sound and noxious odors, and, in some instances, water is blown from the air-valves, to the injury of surrounding objects. It has been proposed to overcome these difficulties by connecting a pipe to the radiators and drawing the air out forcibly with an aspirator or the like. Systems of this character, however, require considerable attention to keep them in good working order.

One of the objects of my invention the provision of a heating apparatus which s simple in construction and entirely automatic in its operation, and in which the radiators are relieved of air without the use of airvalves or any auxiliary mechanism for forcibly relieving the radiators of the air therein.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the specification and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a view illustrating somewhat diagrammatically, a heating apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a detail view illustrating the pipe connection lead- .ing from the radiators in free communication with the atmosphere, and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the pipe connection sealed as it is in the normal operation of the system.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

Referring, now, to the drawings, 10 is a steam boiler of any ordinary type, which is shown as installed in the basement 11 of a building, one of the walls of which is indicated at 12, and the various floors of which are indicated at 13, 13 and 13. Radiators 14', 14 and 14 of any ordinary type are mounted above the respective floors. A steam pipe 15 is connected to the steam space of the boiler and is, in turn, connected by a riser 16 to the various radiators 14, 14: and 14 by branch pipes 17 17 and 17. The steam pipe 15 may also be connected, as shown, to an indirect radiator 18. I have illustrated my invention in conjunction with 1921. Serial No. 482,078.

a double-pipe system, in which a return pipe 19 leads from the return sides of the radiators to the boiler, though it is to be understood that my invention is equally applicable to a system in which a single riser pipe leads to thedvarious radiators and no return pipe is use In accordance with my invention, a pipe,

connection 20 is connected to the outlet sides of the various radiators 14, 14 and 14 by branch pipes 21, 21 and 21, and leads to the boiler, this pipe connection being provided with a check-valve 22 opening toward the boiler, as best shown in Figs. 2 and The pipe 20 is preferably exposed to the air on its outer surface-that is, it is without heat insulationand is sufiiciently large to insure the steam coming from the radiators being condensed therein. A pipe 23 is connected to the pipe connection 20 at a point 24 which is preferably a short distance above the normal water level of the boiler, the free end of the pipe 23 preferably extending through the wall 12 of the building and being in free communication with the atmosphere.

The operation of the heating system embodying my invention will readily be understood from the foregoing description and is as follows:

When the boiler is shut down the radiators are filled with air. Now, when the boiler is started up and steam pressure created there in, the steam expels the air from the radiators through the pipe connections20 and 23 to the atmosphere. The water in the pipe 20 at this time corresponds to the water level in the boiler and remains at this point during the time that the air is being expelled from the radiators, since the check-valve 22 is closed by the pressure in the boiler and prevents the water surging back in the pipe 20. As soon as the steam begins to come from the radiators, it is condensed in the pipe 20, and owing to the small head between the water level and the connection 24:, the water level soon rises above this connection and seals the exit to the atmosphere, so that the pipe connection between the outlets for the radiators and the atmosphere includes a seal operable by the condensate of steam escaping from the radiators. Any further rise in steam pressure merely results in the condensation of more steam in the pipe 20, which merely raises the water level in the pipe 23. The pipe 23 preferably extends upwardly a distance sufiicient to create a head, which overbalances any boiler pressure established by the safety-valve of the boiler.

If the steam pressure falls, the check-valve 22 permits the water in pipes 20 and 23 to pass back to the boiler, and if the pressure falls low enough, the connection 24 is again opened, ready for the next expulsion of air when the steam pressure rises again.

WVhile I have herein shown and described one modification of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangement shown and described, but seek to cover, in the appended claims, all those modifications which come within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a heating apparatus comprising a steam boiler, a radiator, and a supply pipe between said boiler and said radiator, a second pipe connecting the outlet side of said radiator to the boiler and in free communication with said radiator, and a third pipe freely communicating with the atmosphere at all times connected to said second pipe a short distance above the normal water level of the boiler, whereby air may escape through said second and third pipes in starting the system, associated means for causing condensed steam escaping from said radiator to form a Water seal at the juncture of said second and third pipes, said associated means and said second and third pipes allowing the water to drain from said seal to the boiler when the pressure in the latter is relieved.

2. In a heating apparatus comprising a steam boiler, a radiat r and a supply pipe between said boiler and said radiator, a second pipe connecting the outlet side of said radiator to the boiler and in free communication with said radiator, and a third pipe freely communicating with the atmosphere at all times connected to said second pipe a short distance above the normal water level of the boiler, whereby air may escape through said second and third pipes in starting the system, associated means for causing condensed steam escaping from said radiator to form a water seal at the juncture of said second and third pipes, said associated means and said second and third pipes allowing water to drain from said seal to said boiler when the pressure in the latter is relieved, and a return pipe leading from said radiator to the'boiler.

8. In a heating apparatus comprising a steam boiler, a radiator, and a steam supply pipe between said boiler and said radiator, a second pipe connecting the outlet side of said radiator to the boiler and in free communication with said radiator, and a third pipe freely communicating with the amnesphere at all times connected to said second pipe a short distance above the normal water level of the boiler, whereby air may escape through said second and third pipes in starting the system, said second pipe which con nects the outlet side of said radiator to the boiler being provided between said boiler and its connection with said third pipe with a check valve opening toward the boiler, whereby a seal is formed by condensed steam escaping from said radiator at the juncture of said second and third pipes.

4;. In a heating apparatus comprising a steam boiler, a radiator and a supply pipe between them, a second pipe leading from the outlet side of said radiator to the boiler and in tree coimnunication with said radiator and provided with a check valve opening toward the boiler, and a pipe freely communicating with the atmosphere at all times connected to said second pipe at a point a short distance above the normal water level of the boiler and at a point between said radiator and check valve and extending upwardly therefrom sufliciently to create a head which will overbalance any boiler pressure established by the safety valve of the boiler.

CAMPBELL P. HIGGINS. 

